Use of cannabinoids in the treatment of seizures as associated with lennox-gastaut syndrome

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of cannabidiol (CBD) in the treatment of patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) who are deemed to be treatment failures on their existing medication. In particular the use of CBD was found to provide a statistically significant reduction in both drop seizures and total seizure frequency in patients who have tried and failed anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) or those who were currently taking AEDs but have uncontrolled seizures. Preferably the AEDs which have been shown to be treatment failures are one or more of rufinamide, lamotrigine, topiramate and/or felbamate. Preferably the CBD used is in the form of a highly purified extract of cannabis such that the CBD is present at greater than 98% of the total extract (w/w) and the other components of the extract are characterised. In particular the cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been substantially removed, to a level of not more than 0.15% (w/w) and the propyl analogue of CBD, cannabidivarin, (CBDV) is present in amounts of up to 1%. Alternatively, the CBD may be a synthetically produced CBD.

1 . A method of treating seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) comprising administering cannabidiol (CBD) to a subject diagnosed with LGS, wherein the subject is deemed to be a treatment failure on one or more anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more AEDs are rufinamide, lamotrigine, felbamate, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the CBD is in the form of a highly purified extract of cannabis which comprises at least 98% (w/w) CBD. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the CBD is present as a synthetic compound. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the highly purified extract comprises less than 0.15% THC. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the extract further comprises up to 1% CBDV. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dose of CBD is below 50 mg/kg/day. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dose of CBD is greater than 20 mg/kg/day. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled)